04 SAN TE, Replacement Speakers

[itrynwake]

Has anyone replaced with a different brand speaker on an 04 SAN TE??? If so what brand and size, likes/dislikes? are you using their grill covers or using the factory cloth type cover? easy/hard because you need to take the panels off.

[dajuicejml]

RE: 04 SAN TE, Replacement Speakers

I also am interested in this info. I have ordered 6 pair of the POLK MOMO 650's for my '04 SANTE. I will be replacing the 6 factory speakers and adding the other 6 to the tower. Any install pointers would be appreciated. Thanks.

[dajuicejml]

All of my new stereo equipment came in yesterday and I started the removal of the factory stuff. All I can say is the drivers bow speaker is a B#!@* to get out. I didn't go to the trouble of taking all the panels off because I could easily get behind the majority of the speakers and get the old ones out. Since my new speakers will mount from the front I didn't see the need for extra work. I'll keep you posted. ANY POINTERS WOULD BE APPRECIATED!! Seems like no one is interested in helping us out.

[gotwake]

What kind of help are you looking for? We're here to help where we can. There's a lot of info on the board already and if you have specifics let us know. Speaker replacement? Ok, remove the old ones and install the new ones. If you go with a larger diameter speaker (which it doesn't sound like you are) I trimmed back the vinyl and cut a larger hole. Using stainless staples, I re-attached the vinyl."Mechanic" gloves help save your hands from being eaten up by the fiberglass while reaching under the combing pads. The speaker wire that CC uses is very small. If you have run a larger amp to these speakers I would suggest running larger speaker wire to each speaker. (I used 14 awg from Monster)

On the factory cloth question - In my 02 I kept the factory cloth. You remove the combing pads and replace the speakers, as they sit behind the pads.

[Cisco-Kid]

Sorry for the late response, I just saw your Inquire. Yes, I have a 2004 SAN TE. The stock Speakers are 6.5" Kickers. They suck. I went with the Alpine Marine Co-Axel 6.5" and am very happy. The BEST speakers to go with IMO would be the new JL Audio 6.5" Co-axel (or component) Marine. They were NOT available when I was re-doing my system. You will need to figure out how you want to mount them. I have a good friend who does Car Audio for a living and he re-made the speaker cloths and trimmed the grill inserts to work with the new speakers. They are still flush, and look 100% stock! Take your time with the speaker install and it will be worth it.

Also, you NEED to upgrade the Amps/Sub or else nothing else is worth it. The stock stereo was absolutely terrible in the '04 SAN. I went with the Marine 6-Channel JL Audio Amp for the interiors and the 1800dm Mono Block for the Sub. I went with a 10" Alumapro MX with Dual-Voice Coil so I could run it at 2ohm off the Mono Block. My friend made me a custom fit fiberglass box to go under the flip-up passenger seat to minimize the amont of space lost. I also upgraded the radio to the Clarion CDM4 for the additional RCA outputs, and added the Ipod Module. I did everything (except the Sub), as Marine just for the piece of mind but that is your call. I did upgrade the stock batteries to Dual Optima D31 (the larger of the two marine series offered) batteries as well. The thing I like about my system is that it is NOT over the top, gets plenty loud and clean, when I want it to, without being obnoxious. It is fairly simple too.

My Boat is at a second residence in upstate Michigan so I can only post a Pic of the radio right now, but I will post more when I am up there the weekend of 5/20. Good luck. IMO the stereo upgrades MANDATORY for a '04 SAN. It’s too bad, that I have to say that for such a high end boat. (I wouldn’t trade it for the world thought.) :grin:

[dajuicejml]

I've been planning this system since before I even picked up my boat. It will include:

(6) Polk MOMO 650's in place of the factory kicker's
(6) Polk MOMO 650's in cans on the tower
(2) Kicker Comp VR 12's
(3) 4-channel 100x4 RMS 250x4 Peak amps to run all of the Polk's
(1) Class D Mono Black 800x1 RMS 1500x1 Peak amp to push the subs

I custom built the enclosure for the subs in the place of the cooler box. All the cans are coming from Alex @ Pyramid Mfg. Cans were $99 a pair and are essentially the Boss cans all polished. I will be running 14G cable to all the 6.5's in the place of the factory wiring as well. My biggest problem so far has been getting the bow speakers out. I really didn't care if I destroyed those two so I just drilled them out and busted them as I needed to in order to get them out. I think I'm going to be able to get the Polk's in the factory holes without any vinyl work as long as I'm careful. I was just hoping someone would have some experience that could have offered me some pointers on the factory system (if you even want to call it that). I have everything except my amps and they are on the way and will be here tomorrow. I plan on running all my wires today to the amp locations so that I'll be ready for that. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks

[Brad_K]

How is the Ipod connection working for you? I brought that head unit over 6 months ago but have still not got around to installing it, i hope to get it done in a few weeks though.

I have heard that the ipod connection does not work all the time and you cannot control the ipod from the head unit as you should be able to, i.e skip songs.

Is it worth the extra money over a standard MP3 connection?

[Cisco-Kid]

The Ipod connection works well for playback. I have no problems with skipping songs etc. The only gotcha is that you need to define playlists named clarion1, clarion2, etc... It also does not show the name of the titles on the remote unit etc. It could be better. I think the quality is better then going with a straight MP3 Aux connection however. That is what I was doing before, I noticed a difference with the module. It could have more bells and whistles for sure. I actually blame it on the head-unit. I am not super impressed with it features, but not having to "Y" my RCA's is worth it I think. If Clarion releases a next generation marine unit compatible with my current changer and dash remote I may consider it.